Ganassi, Penske rule IndyCar's opening day despite changes

By Nate Ryan, USA TODAY

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.
–
For Will Power, the answer was as plain as the results on the first day of Izod IndyCar Series practice.

By Chris Trotman, Getty Images

Will Power of Australia during practice for the IZOD IndyCar Series Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg on March 23, 2012 in St Petersburg, Florida. Power's lap of 1:02.0077 seconds nearly matched his pole speed last year.

Will Power of Australia during practice for the IZOD IndyCar Series Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg on March 23, 2012 in St Petersburg, Florida. Power's lap of 1:02.0077 seconds nearly matched his pole speed last year.

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After a preseason filled with predictions of the powerhouses perhaps having their iron grip on the circuit threatened, how did the cars of Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi sweep the six fastest speeds in practice Friday on the streets of St. Petersburg?

"Just better teams," said Power, whose No. 12 Dallara-Chevrolet led the session at 104.503 mph. "They've got more resources and more money. They employ the best drivers and people, and that's the reason they always are at the front."

Power's lap of 1:02.0077 seconds nearly matched his pole speed last year and was less than a half-second off his track record in 2010 (1:10.6026 seconds, 105.397 mph).

Penske Racing teammate Ryan Briscoe was second at 104.359 mph, followed by the Dallara-Hondas of three-time defending series champion Dario Franchitti (who won this race last year), Graham Rahal and Scott Dixon. Franchitti and Dixon are teammates at Target Chip Ganassi Racing while Rahal drives for Ganassi's other two-car team.

Penske's third driver, Helio Castroneves, rounded out the top six.

Andretti Autosport's James Hinchcliffe (seventh at 103.741 mph) was first in class among the non-Ganassi/Penske set.

During preseason testing beset with the unfamiliarity of engine failures and struggles with the setup of a redesigned chassis, many predicted at least a short-term disruption to the reign of the Ganassi and Penske teams, which have combined to win 75% of races over the past six seasons.

But underdogs still could emerge over the course of qualifying Saturday and 100 laps Sunday around the 14-turn, 1.8-mile course.

"You never know in the race," Briscoe said. "There are a lot of things we're going to learn Sunday. There's a lot of stout competition, and we're always the teams setting the standards and goals for everyone to reach."

The competition didn't lack for trying Friday. While none of the top six ran more than 39 laps (with 26, Power ran the fewest but went the fastest), Hinchcliffe turned 46.

Because IndyCar rules restrict tire allotments for qualifying and races, Power said he was saving his Firestones because a new, softer compound was wearing faster.

"The tires are really, really good when they're new and it feels like we have a ton of grip and the balance is really good," said Hinchcliffe, whose Chevrolet was followed on the speed chart by Tony Kanaan, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Mike Conway. "But compared to last year, they are degrading at a quicker rate. Maybe that's intentional. I think Firestone was asked to do something to spice up the show a bit. When the tires fall away sooner it will definitely make the racing better."

That could lead to surprises Sunday in a race known for producing unlikely faces on the podium. Three years ago, Hunter-Reay finished second to Briscoe in a car he hadn't sat in until two days earlier.

He said his sixth season will be the most unpredictable in IndyCar because of the new car and engine competition for the first time in seven years. Virtually every team still was making major swings at new setups Friday.

"We have no idea, really, but it is exciting," Hunter-Reay said. "Everyone is a contender, and everyone has a chance at making their mark early in the season. At the same time, we could be having a great weekend doing everything you are asked to do, and things could fall through for you from a reliability standpoint. There are so many moving parts; so many variables involved in making these things go fast, because we are just trying so many different things. So, yes, it is nerve-wracking to say the least."

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